THE VALUE OF CHRIST'S REPROACH AND ITS GREAT REWARD - PART 1

SATURDAY 04 JUNE 2022

I can imagine someone thinking in their mind: "Why disgrace?" God forbid! This is a stigma everybody justifiably wants to avoid by all means. In essence, nobody would like to become the object of scorn. Of course, disgrace can be nasty, unacceptable and horrendous, because it arouses intense distaste or disgust, yet it can yield unexpected benefits or advantage when its part of a divine plan. Sometimes, it can emanate from uncertain causes and become displayed through unfortunate predicament. However, it makes no difference 'whoever' or 'whatever' is behind the cause, you'll definitely pay no attention to such discredit or reproach and remain unperturbed, when you bigly hold Christ's teaching about it inside you, followed by constant practice.

Reference: Hebrews 11:26 New International Version (NIV) "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."

If Moses chose to suffer disgrace for Christ's sake, instead of enjoying the treasures of Egypt, then there's a hidden treasure or mystery behind disgrace. Some level of disgrace can happen because of the reward they hold. By this, I mean that when God is involved, it can happen to extraordinarily chosen people through unusual events because divine disgrace carries abnormal secrets that can usher a highly favoured person into a higher dimension of God's glory when endured.

This is why it was noted that Moses regarded 'disgrace' as part of pleasing Christ, which in turn, positioned him to look ahead to his reward because the disgrace was programmed to be accompanied by reward/treasures of great and inestimable value. In other words, his level of disgrace was considered as exceptional favour in disguise. It could start out with events and people that make you a figure of unmerited unworthy treatment, thereby bringing undeserved dishonour and even seeming loss of human approval, yet it is devised by the Divine to result in glorious ending and uncommon testimonies.

Disgrace could come as dishonourable upset, as well as plight. Biblical men like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experienced public disgrace by being thrown into a fiery furnace. Joseph also had his fair share of disgrace in Egypt. When it becomes the case, callous people can use abusively harsh and uncaring lexicon to address you resulting in woe and humiliation of uncertain essence. However, as a Christian, the best course of action at that point is to avoid responding with harsh vocabulary. In such situation, the power of your victory in Christ lies in the fact that you can take on an extraordinary approach, on any day, regardless of the person or people involved, bearing in mind that its an encounter that offers an extraordinary reward from above, as you handle it in a godly manner or with a godly attitude.

When you're positioned in God's perfect will for you, you can be strengthened by divine disgrace. When Jesus was disgraced by the soldiers that led him away, a large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him. Yet Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children", meaning that He didn't need their sympathetic responses. Of course, Jesus knew that the disgrace was of paramount importance and a huge benefit because it was a vital part of the process that would lead to His glorious triumph and unquestionable victory (Luke 23:26-28 NIV).

Why was Christ Jesus associated with disgrace, to the point that it was mentioned in today's Scripture that Moses regarded it for His sake? 1 Peter 2:23 (BSB) recorded that when they heaped abuse on Jesus, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. Indeed, that was a divinely-approved and ordained disgrace in operation. He suffered huge humiliation, yet He didn't respond bitterly because of the glory ahead. Persecutors did their worst, but Jesus stood the test. He was too spiritually-minded to care or stoop to their level, because the configuration and quality of His mindset were heavenly. He was hardly moved by their insults and abuse. Hence, He made no threats of vengeance, but kept entrusting Himself to the One above, who judges fairly.

Divine disgrace calls for the absence of anger and human pity, plus zero revenge. This was the reason Jesus prayed that His persecutors or oppressors might be forgiven because they were advantageous to actualizing the bigger picture or exalted version of His glory. So calmly, He faced and bore all manner of reproach, enduring assorted insults and shame in order that He might embrace the glory that would follow. Stay tuned for part two. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 53:7; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Hebrews 12:3; 1 Peter 3:9.

Guided Prayer: Glorious Father in heaven, I thank you for the spiritual faculty you've granted me to discern your favour in disguise when faced with the opportunity to esteem higher, the reproach of Christ's immense wealth and unsearchable riches than any perishable treasures. By the strength of the Holy Spirit, I don't lose my spiritual perception of the greater reward, no matter what comes my way. The eyes of my heart are clear to know and embrace spiritual reward, associated with the glory of Christ in me, which is spiritually discerned, in Jesus' Name, Amen!